This is a pretty harsh statement! AE 'art' was first not created as a modern person would consider art, but as an outgrowth of its religious and magical symbolism. It had it own canons of proportion as well as the was certain figures were portrayed.

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Even something as simple as skin colour is all over the place...

How do you mean "all over the place"? Women were shown with a yellowish skin, men with a reddish brownish skin, some gods were shown in some representations as black.

You must remember that these depictions were not portraits in a modern photographic sense.

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Why is this? Because they had no concept of art or simply strong symbolisim we don't understand?

They had quite a good concept of art, and it suited their needs and uses that it lasted far longer than modern Western art has been in existance. Yes, not all the symbolism is clearly understood, but there are a few good books I could recommend if you're interested.

Apparently the 'women paler than men' convention isn't realistic, just an artistic exaggeration showing that women were indoors more, not in the sun as much as men. But I've seen paintings where men and women have the same brown skin tone as well.

Personally I love the Egyptian art style, it's probably the most distinctive ancient art style, and the most well known. You instantly know that a work of art is Egyptian at first glance when you see it, it's just so unique._________________High-Priestess of Isis, Hereditary Princess, Lady of Philae, Favourite of Osiris, the Lord of Abydos, Daughter of Horus, Chantress of Bastet, Superior of the Kitty Litter
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The AE's had a great concept of art in my opinion. Their art is the most beautiful around - ancient or modern - and is very distinctive. The way that they portrayed something will have obviously changed drastically over three thousand years, but even so, many qualities were ever present. For instance, rock art discovered in the eastern desert depicted boats that were extremely reminiscent of the boats depicted in New Kingdom tombs thousands of years later, which shows massive continuity in their art. There are very few instances of the human body being drawn differently, they usually used grids to make sure they were depicted in exact proportion.
The differences that you speak of, Chrismackint, seem very minor. It is possible that variations are simply due to the different artisan or architect that was working on each individual piece._________________

In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this - Terry Pratchett.

All art is unreliable, because it is an interpretation. If you look at two different people, they will have two different outlooks on the same thing, hence the drawings are different.

To an extent, in modern western art, I will concede this point. But as I've stated before, AE 'art' wasn't 'art for art's sake'. It was subject to fairly strict canons, both in subject matter, color, size of figures shown, the manner in which figures were shown, etc. etc. So there isn't as much variation as you'd expect, with the exception of Amarna.It was a visual accompaniement to the AE religion and magic, which were two sides of the same coin.

To judge AE art by the same standards you would judge Michelangelo or Renoir is like comparing apples and oranges.

To an extent, in modern western art, I will concede this point. But as I've stated before, AE 'art' wasn't 'art for art's sake'.

You've made several terrific points, kat, and there's not much I can add to your argument other than to reiterate how important it is to divorce one's self from modern interpretations of art when one examines a work of art from ancient Egypt. The styles and distinctions are much better understood than Chrismackint must realize, but it takes long and careful study to understand. Yes, we see an ancient Egyptian statue or painted papyrus or shabti as art, but as you said, it is an extension of their religious and magico-social thought process. Just about everything the Egyptians did with their art had a meaning and a purpose.

And I agree with isisinacrisis that ancient Egyptian art is perhaps the most distinctive ever created by a civilization. In most cases the discerning eye can see something in a museum created by an ancient Egyptian craftsman, and even if there is no label copy to explain what the piece is, he or she will know that it comes from ancient Egypt.

Yes, we see an ancient Egyptian statue or painted papyrus or shabti as art, but as you said, it is an extension of their religious and magico-social thought process. Just about everything the Egyptians did with their art had a meaning and a purpose.